Tight Red Snapper Season May Send Some Alabama Anglers to Florida Waters

How can an Alabama angler legally catch red snapper in Florida waters? It gets a little tricky, especially for the boat captain.

By David Rainer
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
From The Fishing Wire

With all the fishing friends I have, it’s not surprising my Facebook page is awash with red right now, as in red snapper.

Any red snapper landed in Alabama, no matter where or when the fish was caught, should be reported through the new red snapper data collection program. The federal red snapper season starts at 12:01 a.m. June 1 and ends at 12:01 a.m. on June 10, however Florida, Louisiana and Texas allow red snapper fishing in their respective state waters outside of the federal season.

But red snapper season isn’t open yet, you say. Oh, but that’s the red snapper season in federal waters that opens on June 1 and ends at 12:01 a.m. on June 10, the shortest red snapper season ever at only nine days.

The red snapper season in Florida, which has a 9-mile territorial waters boundary, opened on May 24, and plenty of anglers took advantage of that opening. Alabama’s territorial waters extend only 3 miles into the Gulf of Mexico.

So how can an Alabama angler legally catch red snapper in Florida waters? It gets a little tricky, especially for the boat captain.

Chris Blankenship, Director of the Alabama Marine Resources Division, said there are specific regulations that Alabama fishermen must follow to be in compliance with state and federal regulations.

“If people from Alabama are going to fish in Florida and catch red snapper and bring them back to Alabama, they need to stay in Florida waters until they get to 3 miles off the beach,” Blankenship said. “Then they can cut over into Alabama waters. We will allow them to possess fish in Alabama as long as they have an Alabama saltwater fishing license and a Florida saltwater fishing license.”

Therefore, if an Alabama boat is 9 miles south of, say, Gulf Breeze, Fla., the boat cannot take a course that is a straight line back to the Alabama port or boat ramp, because that course would take them into federal waters. And it doesn’t matter where the fish was caught. Possession is the key.

“If you get caught in federal waters with red snapper, that is a violation,” Blankenship said. “You’ve got to stay in Florida waters until you get to Alabama waters.”

Blankenship said there will be a variety of enforcement personnel out to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.

“We’ll have patrols in the Gulf, as will other states, the Coast Guard and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS),” he said.

Anyone who lands red snapper in Alabama, whether or not the fish is caught in states with seasons outside the federal regulations like Florida, Louisiana and Texas, is required to report the catch to Alabama Marine Resources through the new red snapper data collection program. The new system requires only one report per vessel trip, which can be filled out via smartphone app, online, by telephone, or by paper form. Data collection drop-boxes have been erected at boat ramps at Boggy Point, Cotton Bayou and Fort Morgan in Baldwin County, Billy Goat Hole on Dauphin Island and Bayou La Batre in south Mobile County.

N. Gunter Guy Jr., Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, enacted the red snapper data collection program through emergency regulation to ensure its quick implementation because of the impact snapper fishing has on Alabama’s estimated $690 million recreational fishery.

The new regulation requires the captain or owner of a charter or private vessel with red snapper on board to report all red snapper kept and discarded dead prior to landing in Alabama.

Anglers will be required to report red snapper catches this year when they return to the docks throughout Alabama.
When the red snapper catch is reported, additional information required includes: vessel registration number, type of vessel (private or charter), county where the fish was landed and number of anglers.

Anglers can report red snapper catches via the Outdoor Alabama smartphone app available in the iTunes or Google Play app stores, online at outdooralabama.com, by telephone at 1-844-REDSNAP (1-844-733-7627), or by paper forms available at the aforementioned boat ramps. The proper smartphone app is powered by Pocket Ranger.

Blankenship said red snapper anglers have expressed their intent to comply with the red snapper data collection program because they want accurate information to be used when seasons and bag limits are set.

“NMFS changed its data collection program in 2013,” Blankenship said. “We don’t feel that program is accurately reflecting the red snapper that are being landed on the Gulf Coast. So in order to get a true picture of what’s actually being landed in Alabama, we’ve implemented the red snapper reporting system. Once we have the information for what’s truly being landed, we will have a much higher confidence in the results as we move forward to show we are ready and able to manage this fishery on a state level.

“But more importantly, there’s a buffer that comes off the top of the quota for management uncertainty under NMFS. If we have a true picture of what’s being landed, that 20- to 25-percent buffer can be added back into the quota in future years.”

When it comes to discarded red snapper, Blankenship said anglers should use their best judgment as to whether they think the fish will survive after being released.

“The reason we ask for the number of dead discards is because NMFS uses dead discards when they figure the quota,” he said. “NMFS has been determining dead discards through an observer program on different vessels. But the number of observers is small. We want to collect that information so we can have a different number and see how it compares with what the observers are collecting.”

Blankenship said most of the feedback he’s received from anglers about the reporting system is for more information, not complaints.

Red Snapper season is just nine days long this year in Alabama waters, but neighboring Florida has a longer opening inside state waters less than 9 NM from shore.
“People want to comply, but they want to know all the details before they go out,” he said. “I don’t blame them. They don’t want to be sitting at the dock, trying to figure this out. But we did make it very user friendly, so it shouldn’t be much of an inconvenience to the fishermen at all.”

Blankenship said the data collection system is designed to get quick results from the reports.

“We’ll be able to compile the data all along,” he said. “Our biggest concern, obviously, is what’s being landed during the federal season. The day after the federal season is over, we’ll be able to give a good estimate of what was landed in Alabama during those nine days. And we will continue to collect reports while the Florida season (May 24-July14) is still open.

“It is a fineable violation if people don’t comply. We’re really working hard to educate people that they need to report red snapper catches.”

Unfortunately, anglers who love bottom fishing are going to have limited options this summer. Gray triggerfish season is closed. Amberjack season is closed until Aug. 1, but gag grouper season opens July 1.

Also, the vermilion snapper bag limit has been reduced to 10 per person as part of the 20-fish reef fish aggregate.

Blankenship hopes that the results from the red snapper data collection system will allow Marine Resources some leeway with snapper fishing, possibly this year.

“We’ll be monitoring the reporting and use the information to consider a supplemental season in state waters later in the year,” he said.

Blankenship accompanied U.S. Congressman Bradley Byrne of Montrose, Ala., and U.S. Congressman Steve Scalise from Louisiana on a short fishing trip off Alabama last week on Capt. Randy Boggs’ Reel Surprise charter boat.

“We went out with Congressman Byrne and Congressman Scalise for a few hours and we talked about our request for a 9-mile state boundary for fisheries management,” Blankenship said. “We’re still waiting on Congress to take action, but Congressman Byrne sounded confident that he could get it done.”

PHOTO: (By David Rainer)

Red Snapper Season–Short but Sweet

America’s favorite snapper is again legal as of June 1-but the season will be a scant 9 days long.

By Frank Sargeant

If there’s a shortage of red snapper in the Gulf, you can’t prove it by talking to anglers from Florida to Texas-these Alabama anglers loaded up. (Photo Credit David Rainer, ADCNR)

Don’t blink or you’ll miss the red snapper season in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico this year. It opens June 1, slams shut again just nine days later on June 10 thanks to a Byzantine federal management system that tightens the regulations ever more as the fishery gets better and better. (If we get a tropical storm on or about June 1, say goodbye to the entire season.)

Federal regulators say the rules are for the good of the fish-and ultimately of the fishermen.

But in fact, most experienced reef anglers say red snapper fishing is now better than it has been in at least 40 years thanks to an extended period of tight harvest regulations, and also perhaps due to the success of fish excluder devices on shrimp nets, allowing millions of juvenile snapper to escape these days when in the past they would have wound up as by-catch, dead on the deck.

The snapper are both much larger than they have been in decades, and much more numerous, according to hundreds of reports from fishermen all around the northern Gulf. It’s universal: anglers in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas all report booming snapper populations.

So why don’t the feds want to pony up longer seasons and more generous bag limits? Because of a bizarre twist in the way they calculate the harvest-they measure it in pounds, and when their best estimate of a conservation-smart harvest is achieved, they call for closure. Snapper grow fast and live a long time, and consequently anglers are now catching tons of whoppers-which means that they can catch a lot fewer before they reach those limits set by the feds.

To be sure, these restrictions are not arbitrarily contrived by the fish managers–they are mandated by the Magnuson-Stevens act, and more recently by a court decision–but the triggers on both these directives are based on badly-designed harvest surveys, which are the direct responsibility of the federal scientists.

Snapper take a variety of cut baits, live baits and sometimes heavy jigs, typically at depths of 60 feet and greater. (Photo Credit David Rainer, ADCNR)

It is much like the paradoxical Catch 22, and it’s causing a furious reaction among fishermen and state fishery managers from Florida to Texas–most Gulf states are now moving rapidly toward putting their own harvest surveys in place for the species, tapping the capabilities of smart phones so that anglers can record their catches conveniently the minute they hit the docks.

In an unprecedented rebellion against the federal management system, all five Gulf states have all but quit cooperating with the NOAA system on this species. These days, state management is really starting to make sense, while it didn’t 30 years back. In the bad old days, only commercial fishermen had lobbyists and power to control the rules, and many fisheries suffered as a result.

But these days, the checks and balances of local recreational anglers and conservationists weigh in for keeping the maximum number of quality-sized fish in the water-and even the saltiest old commercial harvesters have finally come to realize that it just simply makes sense to guard the resource, so that they can not only make money fishing today, but also tomorrow, next month and next year. It should be noted that thanks goes to not only state agencies but also federal biologists for much of the research on offshore species that has made this awakening happen.

Florida has set a much longer red snapper season in state waters, up to 9 nautical miles offshore, extending from May 25 to July 14 this year, and other Gulf states are extending their seasons similarly and also working toward expanding the limit of state waters. How this all plays out remains to be seen–hopefully, better fishery stock analysis will put an end to the foolishness and restore some measure of cooperation between state and federal management agencies. In the meantime, whether you fish state or federal waters, here are some tactics that consistently produce results on red snapper.

HOW TO GET EM

Anglers who regularly target red snapper say they are not exactly “bottom fish”, even though they are nearly always found around hard structure. They’re usually found over structure, but not as often down in the structure like grouper.

Experts seek out what they call a snapper “Christmas tree” show on their sonar screens before dropping a line. The pyramid or “tree” is the shape made by a school of snapper, with most deep, fewer at the top. In 200 feet of water the stack may extend as much as 50 feet off bottom.

Many of the red snapper being caught these days are whoppers, the result of tight regulations including short seasons-but many anglers say there are enough fish now to loosen the reins a bit. (Photo Credit David Rainer, ADCNR)

Gulf red snapper are typically found in 60 foot depths and more, on out to the edge of the continental shelf at around 250 to 280 feet-beyond this zone, the bottom drops away to a mile deep and more, and common reef fish are not found in those depths.

The Panhandle has a unique fishery in that there are hundreds and perhaps thousands of “private” reefs, that is junk that skippers have dropped on otherwise barren sand bottom to attract snapper-old washing machines, steel drums, all sorts of bulky trash. It’s not legal any more, but there are still many of these reefs around, and smart skippers have dozens of them in their GPS machines-all very carefully protected from other skippers who might want to pirate “their” fish.

There are also numerous legally-placed artificial reefs, including tugboats, barges and ships as well as demolition rubble, which attract lots of fish; these can be found on any good offshore chart. Most states also list them on their marine fisheries websites.

In general, the procedure is for the skipper to head for his favorite GPS number, drop anchor uptide when he gets there, and then let the anglers lower an assortment of frozen threadfins, cigar minnows or squid down on 60-pound-tackle. Using braided line makes it easier to feel the bite and get a good hookset, but you’ll need at least five feet of 60 to 80-pound-test mono leader to fool the fish and keep their teeth clear of the braid. (In extremely clear water or where the fish are being fished hard, it’s sometimes necessary to go to lighter tackle to fool snapper–you lose many but you get bit more often.)

Weights of 4 ounces and more are needed to get the bait deep, and hook sizes are typically 6/0 and larger circle hooks, extra-strong. (Circle hooks are required by law, as are hook removers, both aimed at improving survival of released reef fish. Venting devices, required formerly, are no longer on the must have list.)

The angler drops the bait to bottom, then takes up several turns of the reel to suspend the bait in the snapper zone–keeping an eye on the sonar will help you put the bait where the fish are. The snappers take it from there. When you feel a bite, you reel like mad and hopefully the circle hook digs in. Jerking on the rod to set the hook rarely works when using circle hooks; just keep tension on the line and reel very fast and the fish will usually set the hook itself.

Red snapper these days typically average 5 to 8 pounds, but there are many, many of 10 pounds and more, and 20-pounders are not unheard of. The limit is two per angler per day, minimum size 16 inches. Red snapper are among the tastiest of all fish, and are great broiled, fried or baked.

RELEASING SNAPPER

Fish caught from deep water frequently have issues with the rapid pressure change as they are brought aboard–they blow up like a balloon, and are unable to swim when put back over the side. Since the limit on red snapper is just two fish daily, it’s common for anglers to release much of their catch these days, and improving survival of these fish makes good conservation sense–as well as being required by state and federal law.

Improving survival depends on several steps.

1. Use circle hooks so that the hook is unlikely to be swallowed.
2. Get the hooks out promptly with an efficient hook-removing tool or long-nose pliers.
3. Don’t let the fish fall on the deck.
4. If you want a photo, make it quickly.
5. Use either a deflating tool or a deep-release “descender” device like the Seaqualizer (www.seaqualizer.com) to help the fish get back down to bottom safely. Descender devices include large weights to which the fish is hooked and lowered back to a comfortable depth, then released.
6. Which ever device you use, do it promptly–minutes out of water are the biggest enemy to survival.

Protecting Offshore Habitats while Rebuilding New Jersey Beaches

By Karen Greene, Sandy Hook Habitat Conservation Division Field Office, NOAA
from The Fishing Wire

The State of New Jersey has 130 miles of sandy beaches along the Atlantic Ocean. These beaches are constantly eroding, as waves and wind move the sand around. To protect local communities from storm and flood damage and to provide recreational opportunities for visitors to the Jersey shore, the Federal, State and local governments must regularly replenish the supply of sand.

For decades, the US Army Corps of Engineers has been dredging sand from “borrow areas” in the Atlantic Ocean and placing it on beaches. Local communities also shore up beaches by trucking in sand or dredging sand from back bays. NOAA Fisheries’ Habitat Conservation Division has a role in these projects. We provide advice on the best ways to rebuild depleted coastal beaches while conserving important living marine resources. We recommend ways to minimize impacts to important offshore habitats that might be impacted by sand mining to restore these coastal areas.

We’ve been working with the Corps and the State of New Jersey on beach re-nourishment and shore protection since the 1980s. We’ve consulted on various projects in northern Monmouth County, on Long Beach Island and in Ocean City. Since Superstorm Sandy, we’ve been providing suggestions for ecologically responsible ways to replenish decimated beaches and bayshores along the entire New Jersey coast, Delaware Bay and Raritan, and Sandy Hook Bay.

With demand high, the Corps and the state have stepped up efforts to find more sources of suitable sand offshore in State waters and on the Outer Continental Shelf. Offshore shoals and ridges provide good sources of sand. They also happen to be valuable habitat for fish and other species. Shoals are dynamic features that attract a diversity of marine life. They produce a variety of bottom types and foraging opportunities for finfish, like summer flounder, bluefish, bonito and false albacore and bottom dwelling organisms. Finfish tend to congregate around shoals and ridges. They also provide guiding features for coastal migratory species such as whales, dolphins, sea turtles and tuna. Many of these areas are also important habitat for surf clams. However, sand mining can alter the bathymetric contours (depths and gradients) of shoals and ridges.

Our staff works with the Corps to help identify and evaluate options for reducing impacts to these ecologically rich habitats. Some options may include simply maintaining the vertical relief (elevation) of shoals and ridges, avoiding areas of high quality surf clam habitat and conducting ongoing monitoring to assess changes to ocean bottom conditions due to the dredging activity. Where we can, we also support the research of other agencies and academic institutions. Through further study, we can learn more about the functions and habitat values of offshore shoals and ridges and the effects of sand mining on these special areas.

Anglers applaud progress of red snapper reallocation

Today’s feature comes to us from Ted Venker of the CCA. It reviews progress on dividing the Gulf red snapper fishery equitably between recreational and commercial anglers–as always both sides would like a bigger slice of the pie. Fortunately, there’s a whole lot bigger pie to work with these days as snapper stocks have come roaring back–hopefully both sides will go away winners. –Frank Sargeant
from The Fishing Wire

Gulf Council moves forward with amendment to modernize allocation

By Ted Venker, Coastal Conservation Association

During its recent meeting in Houston, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council approved moving ahead with an amendment to update the allocation of Gulf red snapper between the commercial and recreational sectors, a welcome development hailed by the Coastal Conservation Association as long overdue. The Council approved the action by a vote of 9-6, with the representatives of all five of the Gulf state fishery management agencies voting for the measure to proceed.

“The current allocation of 51 percent commercial, 49 percent recreational was set using data from when Ronald Reagan was president. There is a strong case for reallocation based simply on the tremendous changes that have taken place along the Gulf Coast since then,” said Richen Brame, CCA’s Regional Fisheries Director. “Nonetheless, allocation decisions are always contentious and we applaud the Council for continuing its efforts to set the allocation based on modern criteria.”

The Gulf Council voted to send Amendment 28 – Red Snapper Reallocation out to a series of public hearings in the Gulf states and set a special meeting for May in New Orleans to take final action. Amendment 28 contains seven alternatives for reallocating red snapper that range from status quo to shifting up to 10 percent to the recreational sector. The Council selected Alternative 5, which directs 75 percent of any quota over 9.12 million pounds to the recreational sector and 25 percent to the commercial sector, as its preferred alternative. With the current Gulf-wide quota set at 11 million pounds, Alternative 5 would shift roughly 1.4 million pounds to the recreational sector in time for the 2014 season if approved.

“When the original allocation was set red snapper stocks were in far worse condition, and there are questions about the quality of harvest data even today, which makes the accuracy of an allocation set in the mid-1980s extremely suspect. It is quite possible that the allocation of this fishery has never been correct and that may explain some of the issues anglers are grappling with today,” said Brame. “We know that this is not a cure for all the problems in recreational management, but if Alternative 5 is approved it will do a lot to fix the foundation of this fishery and give us something solid on which to build. We would strongly encourage that the allocation be reviewed regularly from now on.”

Efforts to keep Amendment 28 on track were aided greatly by Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), who highlighted the issue during the nomination process for Dr. Kathryn Sullivan to be the Undersecretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, and Administrator of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“This is huge news for Gulf Coast recreational anglers. After months of urging NOAA and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to take action on Amendment 28, they have finally started moving on it,” said Sen. Vitter. “We intend to follow it through to completion. Proactively managing Gulf fisheries based on the best science and economics should always be the ultimate goal, and this is a positive step in the meantime that could lead to an economic boost for Gulf economies, something we can all support.”

Visit www.joincca.org for more information.